Wenger: Arsenal under no pressure to sell

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal are in a much better position to compete with the likes of Manchester City on a financial footing, ahead of their meeting at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

While the Gunners have in the past sold players to their Premier League rivals while also limiting the amount of money spent on new signings as they financed their stadium, the Emirates, Wenger says the gap between the clubs has been reduced.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, he said: "It has reduced but it is still there. I believe we have the needed quality not to look at the financial differences as the reason why we should not win the game."

He added: "Today I feel we can give financial satisfaction and support ambitions and values that can make the players happy at this club.

"Before, perhaps the financial gap was too big a difference to keep our players. We could not compete, we had to sell players."

When asked about the club's sales to rivals City, Wenger added: "Yes, they are good clients!"

Wenger was, however, less forthcoming when quizzed on the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud, while making a case for Kieran Gibbs to stay with Arsenal.

He added: "As soon as we have some (on Giroud) news we will inform you.

"We cannot make a case of every single contract negotiations. Personally, I think Gibbs should stay here."